How we fulfill our mission:
We know that for every $100 spent at a chain store, an average of $14 is reinvested in the community. For every $100 spent at a local store, an average of $45 is reinvested in the community.
That money maintains our schools, paves our roads, employs our friends and neighbors and makes the Lowcountry a wonderfully diverse and interesting place to live.
Our work includes local economic development, training and support for local business owners, awareness and education efforts aimed at the general public and advocacy for policies that recognize the importance of a strong, diverse local economy. In order to fulfill our mission, we organize most of our efforts under three categories: Good Business, Good Enterprises, and Good Farming, alongside our ongoing Advocacy Priorities.
GOOD BUSINESS
Our Good Business initiative supports sustainable entrepreneurship and business development and is designed to foster and catalyze local, independent retailers, manufacturers, professional service providers, and more. In addition to the programs below, we provide consulting services for private companies, municipal government, and anchor institutions to cultivate local businesses and fill gaps in economic development activities.
We believe relationships matter and are integral in a sustainable local economy.
How we foster Good Business:
- Buy Local Season (Nov - Dec)
- Local Works coworking space
- Good Business Summit and workshops
- Local Expertise Exchange
- Business Resources
GOOD ENTERPRISES
Our Good Enterprises Initiative is a catalyst for reshaping the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem to one that provides equitable opportunity for business ownership, in order to transform lives and communities. Through the adoption of a nationally recognized and proven curriculum, one-on-one coaching, and an access to capital model, Good Enterprises supports economic development opportunities directly in the communities that need it most. The Good Enterprises Initiative launched in 2019, with the first 12-week Community Business Academy to start in September 2019 on Reynolds Avenue. To learn more, visit http://goodenterprises.org/
Good Enterprise work includes:
GOOD FARMING
Our Good Farming initiative supports sustainable agriculture and is designed to grow and connect our local food system by training new farmers, supporting existing farm businesses and educating consumers on the importance of our local growers, producers, and the businesses that support them.
Good Farming work includes: